Production packer apparatus



Feb. 2, 1954 R. c. BAKER 2,667,928

PRODUCTION PACKER APPARATUS Filed April 23, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l R. c. BAKER 2,667,928

PRODUCTIQN PACKER APPARATUS 21S heets-Sheet 2 Feb. 2, 1954 Filed April 25, 1948 Patented Feb. 2, 1954 PRODUCTION PACKER APPARATUS Reuben C. Baker, Coalinga, Calif., assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Vernon, Calif., a corporation of California Application April 23, 1948, Serial No. 22,888

16 Claims. (Cl, 166-12) The present invention relates to well packers, being more particularly directed to packers of the type adapted to be anchored against longitudinal movement in a well casing, liner or similar conduit string.

Certain types of well packers are run and set in a well conduit, such as a well casing, with special setting tools that must be removed after the setting operation has been performed. Thereafter, a production string is run in the well casing for association with the packer, in order to conduct the well production to the top of the well bore. It is apparent that two trips into the well casing have heretofore been necessary; one for setting the packer, and the other for producing through the packer.

An object of the present invention is to obviate the need for running a tubing string into the well casing twice, by providing a well packer that can be set by the aid of a tubular string which remains in the casing to function as the producing string.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer capable of being anchored in packed-oir condition in the well casing against longitudinal movement in both directions, and which can also withstand comparatively high pressures and temperatures without leakage or displacement from its set position.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a well packer apparatus, which cannot be rotated in the well casing after having been set therein. This arrangement facilitates disconnection of the producing string from the packer whenever desired without disturbing the set condition of the packer in the casing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement for anchoring a well packer to a well casing against movement in both longitudinal directions.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved lock mechanism for holding the packer parts in their anchored and packedoff relation within the well casing.

j This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it is embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification, and will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best deiined `by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure '1 is a longitudinal section through a well packer disposed in a well casing, with its parts in the position they occupy for lowering the packer through the casing;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section, similar to Fig. i, of part of the apparatus anchored to the casing against longitudinal movement;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal View, partly sectional and partly elevational, of the well packer anchored in packed-off condition within the well casing;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken along the line 4--4 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken along the line 5-5 on Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken along the line G-B on Fig. 1.

The well packer A disclosed in the drawings is adapted to be anchored in packed-oil` condition within a well casing B positioned in a well bore. The packer is run in the well casing by means of a tubular string C to the desired setting point. As will be pointed out below, the tubing string C serves not only as the instrumentality for running the packer A in the well casing B, and for anchoring it to the Well casing, but it also serves subsequently as the conduit for directing the production entering the casing perforations D below the packer to the top of the well bore.

The packer includes an elongate tubular body I0, having a guide II threaded on its lower end, to which is attached a slotted junk pusher I2 for preventing debris from fouling the equipment during its lowering in the well casing. Immediately above the guide II, a packing assembly I3 surrounds the body. This assembly includes a lower retainer ring I4 into which the lower end of a packing sleeve I5 is received. An upper retainer member I6 receives the other end of the packing sleeve, and is threadedly secured to the lower member I'I of a locking sleeve I 8 surrounding the body I0. The upper end of this member I'I is threaded into the upper member I9 of the locking sleeve I8, which projects upwardly around the enlarged head portion 253 of the body.

The packing retainer I 6, packing sleeve I 5, and locking sleeve I8 are all slidable longitudinally relative to the body III, as will appear hereinafter. Downward movement of these members is limited by engagement of the lower retainer I4 with the guide II, and upward movement of these members along the body is limited by engagement of an inner shoulder 2| on the upper setting sleeve member I9 with a lower shoulder 22 provided by the body head 20.

The packer A is adapted to be anchored at a predetermined point in the well casing B. This location is previously selected by the provision of a collar E in the casing string, which connects upper and lower adjacent casing sections F, G in spaced relation. The casing string collar E has an internal, elongate'groove 23 providing upper and lower shoulders 24, 25 against which upper and lower locking elements 23, 21 on the packer are to bear, in order to prevent longitudinal movement of the packer in both directions.

For the purpose of preventing downward movement of the packer A with. respect tothe .recessed collar E, the setting sleeve I3 carries a plurality of circumierentially spaced longitudinally extending and downwardly Vfacing leafA springs 21. The upper end of each onesof thesey Springs 21 is secured to and between the lower sleeve member I1 and a depending skirt 28 of the upper sleeve member I9 by means of a headless screw' 23 threaded into the skirt and through the upper end of the spring for reception within a hole 3Uk in the lower member Il. Each spring 21 extends downwardly along the lower member I1 and inherently tends to expand outwardlyY to dispose its free end 3I intol the recess 23 for engagement with the lower shoulder 25 dening the lower end of the recess.

The packer is also adapted to be anchored against upward movement by a plurality of upwardly facing circumferentially spaced leaf springs `26, whose lower ends are secured to the lower member I1 by shear screws 32. Each spring is received within a pocket 33 formed between a retainer ring or sleeve 34, the lower setting memper If?, and ribs 35 projecting outwardly from the latter. Initially, the retainer' sleeve 33 is held in an upward position, with its inturned dan-ge 36 engaging the lower shoulder on the .f

projections 35 by the shear screws 32, which are threaded through the retainer sleeve 34 and throughthe lower ends of the upwardlyy directed springs 26- for threaded reception into the lower setting sleeve member I'-1. It is to be noted that the retainer sleeve is spaced initially above the upper end of the upper' packing retainer I3 when the shear screws 32 are intact'.

The leaf springs 23 extend in an upward direction and inherentlyl tend to expand outwardly to place their free ends 31 within the collar grooveV 23, in order that they might engage the upper shoulder 2drI defining the recess.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the upwardly directed springs 23' are intended to anchor the well packer against movement an upward direction, when received within the collar recess 23; and that the downwardly directed springs 21 are adapted to prevent movement of the packer in a downward direction, when received within the collar recess. The upwardly anddownwardly directed springsl 26, 2'? are alternately arranged around the circumference of the setting or locking sleeve I8, being guided in their inward and outward movement in grooves 33 formed by ribs or projections 33; extending from the setting' sleeve member I1. Thesev projections do not extend Valong the entire length of the setting sleeve Il, but only substantially along the mid-portion of the springs 2-, 21, to prevent drilling mud or other fluids in the well casing from packing into the guiding grooves 38 during running of the wel-li packer in the wel-l casing. Such drilling mud, or other fluids, can

flow through the grooves 382 without packing therein.

use of a left hand threaded connection 43.

the wall of the recess 23, are also preferably madev longer lthan the usual collar space formed when .adjacent casing sections are connected together, in order that the springs may ride freely over such. space.

Despite this preferred length of the free ends SI Aof the downwardly directed springs 2l, they are retained in retracted positions during lowering of the well packer A in the well casing E, to prevent their inadvertent catching in. a casing collar` space, which would prevent further lowering of' the well packer beyond that point. Thesev downwardly directed springs 21 are held inv this retracted position by the retainer sleeve 34,. which initially extends upwardly a sufficient distance to hold the free ends 3l of the downwardly directed springs inwardly against the lower setting. member Il, in opposition to the .inherent force of the springs- 2T tending. to expand them outwardly. It is unnecessary to retain the upwardly directed springs 26 in retracted position,` since they will readily ride. over the casing collar. spaces during,v a lowering of the well'. packer within the casing string B.

The well packer is also provided with a locking. device for holding the parts .anchored in packedod condition within the well casing. This` locking device consists of a split ratchet ring 43 contained within an external groove dI in a body head 23. It has downwardly directed external ratchet teeth i2 adapted for engagement with internal ratchet teeth 43 formed in the upper setting sleeve member Iii. The. ratchet teeth 2.2,. i3 are so disposed as to permit upward movement of the packer body Iii and its head 2@ within the sleeve |18, butv to prevent downward movement of the body Iii within the sleeve. I8..

The ratchet teeth. s3. inthe upper setting member may be. formed as a hehcal thread and a corresponding mating thread provided on the ratchet. ring fill. In order to prevent rotation of' the spl-it ratchet ring 4.0 withm the head, 23, a stop. screw de may be threaded in the body IU,

which extends. through. a. hole 45 in. the. ring l 'dening its split. portion i6 (Fig. 4).

By preventing rotation of the ratchet ring ll, it is prevented from. wedging. in either an upward or downward direction. against the sides of its grooves QI, in View of its. threaded engagement with the helical ratchet teeth 3 in the setting member i3.

The well. packer is.. run in. the well bore with the downwardly directed. springs 21 held in retracted positionsy by the. retainer sleeve. 34 and with the rubber packing sleeve l5 in retracted. position against the packer body is. At this. time, the setting member shoulder 2l substantially abn-ts the body shoulder 22,. and the ratchet Vring 2G is disposed adjacent the lower ratchet portion. of the'upper setting member E3.

The well packer A is attached to the string of tubing C by means of a sub i1 that is threaded into the packerv body i3, preferably through the Production tubing t9 is threaded onthe lower end of the sub 41, and extends through the packer to a point therebelow. This tubing may retain a spring actuated flapper valve 50, pivoted on the lower end of the guide II, in open position to one side of the guide. The tubing 4,9 may also have a perforated portion I to permit the well production to ilow through the casing perforations D, and into the production tubing 49 for upward passage through the tubing string C to the top of the well bore. Leakage between the production tubing 49 and the body I6 of the well packer is prevented by a suitable packing assembly 52 mounted on the production tubing. This assembly may consist of upwardly and downwardly directed chevron packing 53 in sealing engagement with both the production tubing 49 and the inner wall of the body It, the packing 53 being held in spaced relation by intervening spacer rings 54.

In the event that the production tubing 46 were to be removed from the packer after it had been set in the well casing, the apper valve 56 would close against the seat 55 in the packer guide Ii, and prevent the well production from flowing upwardly through the packer A.

The tool A is run in the well casing B on the string of tubing C extending to the top of the Well bore, with the parts in retracted position, except for the upwardly directed lock springs 26, which ride freely over the casing coupling spaces and along the casing wall. The tool is lowered to a position below the location of the grooved collar E, and is then pulled upwardly slowly. When the upwardly directed springs 25 are disposed adjacent the collar groove or recess 23, they will expand into this enlarged diameter groove and come to rest with their upper ends 31 bearing against the upper groove shoulder 24. An upward strain may then be taken on the tubing string C, which will be transmitted through the body I0, guide II, lower retainer I4, packing element I5, and upper retainer I6 to the lower setting member I1. When sufficient force has been applied in an upward direction, the shear screws 32 holding the retainer sleeve 34 to the lower setting member I1 will be disrupted and will enable the body I0, guide II, packing assembly I3, and setting sleeve I8 to move upwardly, which will carry the downwardlt7 directed springs 21 with them, since they are attached to the setting sleeve I8 by the screws 29. This upward movement of the downwardly directed lock springs 21 removes or raises them from the retainer sleeve 34 and allows them to spring inherently outwardly into the collar groove 23, as disclosed in Fig. 2, with their lower ends 3| immediately above the lower groove shoulder 25. The retainer sleeve 34 is thus removed from the free ends '3| of the downwardly directed springs 21, since the sleeve 34 is prevented from moving upwardly after engagement of the upwardly directed springs 26 with the up-l per collar shoulder 24.

Upward movement of the tubing string C is continued, which will carry the body ID, guide II and lower packing retainer I4 upwardly with it. The upper packing retainer I6 cannot move upwardly any further since it is now engaged with the retainer sleeve 34, which is prevented from moving in an upward direction by engagement of the springs 26 with the upper shoulder 24. Accordingly, the .lower retainer I4 is moved toward the upper retainer I6, in order to foreshorten the packing sleeve I5 and expand it outwardly into sealing engagement with the ratchet sleeve I9.

6 casing wall, as disclosed in Fig. 3. During upward movement lof the body I0, the ratchet ring 4I] is displaced upwardly along the upward Upon full expansion of the packing l5 against the casing or collar E and release of the upward strain on the tubing string C, the body I5 cannot lower again to permitv retraction of the packing sleeve I5, because of the locking action of the ratchet ring 40 against the ratchet teeth 43 in the setting sleeve I9.

It is, therefore, apparent that the packer A has been fully anchored in packed-olf condition within the well casing B. The upwardly directed springs 26 prevent upward movement of the packer within the well casing because of their engagement with the upper collar shoulder 24; the downwardly directed springs 21 prevent downward movement or" the packer because of their engagement with the lower collar shoulder 25; and the packing sleeve I5 prevents leakage through the annulus between the body I0 and casing B. The ratchet ring 46 precludes downward movement of the body I6 and release of the packing I5 from its sealed condition between the casing B and body I0.

Under some conditions, it may be desired vto disconnect the production tubing 49 from the well packer A and remove it from the well casing. This can be done by rotating the tubing string C to the right, which will unscrew the sub 41 from the packer body I0, because of their left hand thread interconnection 48. Following complete unthreading of the sub 41, the production tubing 45 may be withdrawn through the well packer A, the flapper valve 50 engaging its seat to prevent upward flow of production through the packer.

In order to facilitate such unscrewing of the sub 41 from the body I0, positive means are provided for preventing rotation of the packer. To achieve this purpose, a stop lug 56, is inserted through a slot 51 in the casing collar E and extends into the collar groove 23 (Fig. 5). This lug 56 is welded to the collar so as to completelyclose the slot 51 and prevent leakage therethrough. In addition, the packer body I0 is nonrotatably connected to the setting sleeve I 8, as by providing a longitudinal groove 'or keyway 58 in the body I8 into which a ball 59 extends (Figs. 2 and 5). This ball is received partly in the groove 58 and partly within the lower member I1 of the setting sleeve I8, being held in such position by a screw 60 threaded into the setting sleeve I1. The keyway or groove 58 is elongated, so as to permit upward longitudinal movement of the body I0 within the setting sleeve member I1, I9 without interference by the ball keys 59.

When the tubing string C sub 41 and production tubing 49 are rotated, in order to disconnect these elements from the packer body I 6, any tendency to vrotate the body is transmitted through the ball 55 to the setting sleeve I1, and from the setting sleeve to the lock springs 26, 21. Should these parts rotate, they can only move several degrees before one of the springs will engage the stop lug 56, which will prevent any further rotation relative to the casing. The setting sub 41 may then be readily unthreaded from the body I6 without rotating the packer parts.

The inventor claims:

l. In a well tool: a body adapted to be loweredA in a well conduit on a running-in string; tubular means slidable along said body; a rst outwardlyv asesinas expans'blelleai springen said tnbnlarmeansengageable with-a shoulder inthe wllfeonnit'ffor holding saidf means against 'downward movement; afsecond-odtwafrdly -expansibrle leaf sprmg on said l'fb'ular means iengageable with 1 a cslrciulderin wellpondnit for holding-said means-against npward movement; and fme'afn's relea'sably-iconnecting said-second leaf Y'springfto saidltubular-means, said vfreeasaple means Vfe'ng-aging"and initially re taining said l'rst leaf Vspring in ireiiraoted Sposition-'said releasable being released from said ff'rst leaf spring upon `oontimietl Vupward movement oi said -tublflar-mea'ns 'while said-second leali spring-'is in noldingengagement withlthe well ronduit. Y

combination: -a Yweil Aronduit -ihaving an iriternal vrecess -ftherei-n; a body adapted to be lowered said 'eon'cuit lon fa refining-in string; tubrilar `means slidable along said AAbody; VVa fnrst leafffspr-ing on said tubular mea-ns expandiblefinto said recess and fintoengage'm'ent 'with the Well condiititey hold said tubuia'r means-against downward movement in said `conduit; a second Lleaf spring -on Vsaid tubular means exparnlil'il'e finto said recess and into engagement with well condn'itior 'holding Isaid tubular means against upward "movement in-fsa'id conduit; and 'means releasafbly-fconnecting said second leaf spring to saidl-tubiilarlmeans, said v1r'e'lea'sasile means enn ga'gingandfinitially retainingrsaid"irstieaf spring infretractedposition Jto prevent its 'expansion into said recess, said V-releasafblemeans being released fromsaidiirst leaf spring yuponoontinuednpwa'rd movement-of lsaid Yi'fiiml'ar 4means while said second Vleaif spring fis fin held-ing engagement with the wen conduit.

ment fin said conduit `means releasably :connect-l ing said second member to said tdbiilar Imeans, saidirleasablemeans engaging and'retainingfs'aid rst-imember fin 'retractedpostion ito prevent ini.-

a'lile means 'Ibe'ing released from said 'member upon continued-upward movement of sa'idtnbular means while :said isecond member is in holding engagement with fthe well lconduit within the rief cess; and means lin-said recess lengageaielefwitn one of said members for preventing :rotation o said 'tu'bullar 'means 4. '-I-n l'combination: a 'well `conduit Shaving an internal recess therein; a body Vadapted to fbe lowered fin said con'uiton a running-in string; tubular means slidable along said lio'dy; upwardly facing spring members operatively conneoted :to saidtdbnlar vvmeans and expandole into `said recess and in-to engagement withlthe well conduit for holding said tubular means against upward movement; downwardly facing fs'pring members operatively connected f'to said ctubular means 'and eXpan'dible-intosaid recess and into-engagement with the well conduit for holding said tubular means against downward movement; 'means mounted 'on vand movable with "respect to said tubular means and `engaging v'said downwardly facing members -forireleasably lholding :said downs' Cil wardly 'iaein'g memberslin-fretraoted posit-ion; said releasable-means ylosing ``released if-romsaid dowm warddly tfacing spring members upon'oontinued upward fmovemen-t -oil said -tubn'lar means while said upwardlySfacing-spring-members areinhldengagement with :the :well Vconduit Vwithin said recess; -ineans sin said recess engageable with -at least -oneo'f said lspring members lfor preventing rotation of said tubular fmeans; and coengaging means on 'saidbody vand tubular means for "preventing relative rota-tion'ia'etween said-bodyand tubular mean-s. Y

f5. In-fa 'well tool: abody'adaptedto -be Vlowered in v'a fcon'duit `=on L"a running-in string; tubular means slidable along'said-body; a ilrs'toutwardly expansible leaf Lspring operatively connected Ito Said 'tubular means anchengageable with a ishoulder 'in the well conduit `for 4holding said means againstdownward movement; a second-outwardly expansible leaf spring operatively --connected `vto safid tubular means and en-gageable with ashoulder in the well conduit for holding said *means against vupward movement; 4means mounted Av'on and -imovable xwith respect to said tubular Vmeans and engaging said 'rst lea'f spring-for releasa'bly retaining said irst lea-f spring lin lretraot'ed"piosition, :said releasable means Jbeing released "fro'n said nrst leaf spring `upon :continued upward movement V'off said tubular -means wliile said `second leaf spring is in'holdingengagement'with the wel-l vconduit and eo'engag'ing means Jon Jsaidibody and tubular means :for preventing rotation 4of saidbody within said tubular means -aftersaid leaf springs `have been expanded-outwardly.

`6. In awell tool: ya body adapted to bei-lowered in a well condo-it ron a runninginsstring; tubular means Vfsl'idable along said 'bod-y; a outwardly expansible vleaf. spring operatively connected to said tubular meansv'and engageable lwith a shoulder in said vWel'lcoriduit for holding vsaid means against downward movement; la second outwardly expans'ible fleaspring operatively connected-'to said tubular -m'eansfand engagea-bie with Aa shoulder in said well conduit for 'holding said 'mea-ns `against upward movement; means mounted on and A-rnovable with respect-to said tabula-r fmeafn-s fandengaging said rst 'leaf spring for releasably retaining 'sai-id first leaf spring 'in retracted y'position said VVreleasalele means fbeing released from said VNnrstfleaf spring upon v'cmtinued 'upward :movement of said ftubu'lar means while said second lea'f 'spring -is in holding engagement 4with the well conduit; and one-way look `means fengag'eable 'with Vsaid body and 'tubular Emeans for preventing longitu-cl-inal movementbe'tween said body and tubrlarmeans.

"7. 'In a ywell packer: a fbody adapted to be loweredlin -a well 'conduit'v on la running-in cstringi an labutment fon said body; tubular means slid-- able along fsaid Vlrbody; 'ipa'king fm'eans on Asaid 9 ond leaf spring is in holding engagement with the well conduit; and coengaging means on said body and tubular means for preventing movement between said body and tubular means in one direction.

8. In a well packer: a body adapted to be lowered in a well conduit on a running-in string; an abutment on the body; tubular means slidable along said body; packing means on said body adapted to be compressed between said abutment and tubular means; upwardly facing outwardly expansible leaf springs on said tubular means engageable with a shoulder in the well conduit for holding said tubular means' against upward movement; downwardly facing outwardly expansible leaf springs on said tubular means engageable with a shoulder in the well conduit for holding said tubular means against downward movement; means engaging said downwardly facing ieaf springs for releasably retaining said springs in retracted position, said releasable retaining means being engageable with said upwardly facing leaf springs said downwardly facing leaf springs upon continued upward movement of said tubular means while said upwardly facing leaf springs are in holding engagement with the well conduit; andv coengaging means on said body and tubular means for preventing longitudinal movement between said body and tubular means in one direc-4 tion.

9. In combination: a well conduit having an internal recess therein; a body adapted to be lowered in said conduit on a running-in string; an abutment on the able along said body; packing means on said body adapted to be compressed vbetween said' abutment and tubular means; upwardly facing spring members on said tubular means expandible into said recess and into engagement with the well conduit for holding said tubular means against upward movement; downwardly facing spring members on said tubular means expandible into said recess and into engagement with the well conduit for holding said tubular means against downward movement; means engaging said downwardly facing members for releasably retaining said downwardly facing members in retracted position to prevent their expansion into said recess, said releasable retaining means being engageable with said upwardly facing members to be released from said downwardly facing members upon continued upward movement of said tubular means while said upwardly facing spring members are in holding engagement with the well conduit within the recess; and coengaging means on said body and tubular means for preventing longitudinal movement between said body and tubular means in one direction.

10. In combination: a well conduit having an internal recess therein; a body adapted to be lowered in said conduit on a running-in string; an abutment on the body; tubular means slidable along said body; packing means on said body adapted to be compressed between said abutment and tubular means; upwardly facing spring members on said tubular means expandible into said recess and into engagement with said conduit for holding said tubular means against upward movement; downwardly facing spring members on said tubular means expandible into said recess and into engagement with said conduit for holding said tubular means against i downward movement; ,means engaging downwardly facing leaf to be released from' body; tubular means slid-y internal recess therein;

ment with the well conduit within the recess;-

coengagingV means on said body and tubularv means for preventing longitudinal movement between said body and tubular means in one direction; means in said recess engageable with one of the spring members for preventing rotation of said tubular means; and means operatively connected to said body and tubular mem-v ber for preventing relative rotation between said body and tubular means while permitting their relative longitudinaly movement.

ll. In combination: a well conduit having an internal recess therein; supporting means adapted to be lowered in said conduit; a first member on vsaid supporting means expandible into said recess and into engagement with the well conduit to hold said supporting means against downward movement in sai-d conduit; a second member on said supporting means expandible into said recess and into engagement with the well conduit for holding said supporting means against upward movement in said conduit; means releasably connecting said second member to said supporting means, said re-,

vent its expansion into said recess; said releas-` able means being released from said rst member upon continued `upward movement of said supporting means while said second member is in engagement with the well conduit in the recess; and means in said recess engageable with one of said members for preventing 'rotation of said supporting mea 12. In combination: a well lowered in said-conduit on a running-instring; supporting means slidable ing means expandible into said recess and into said supporting means expandible into said re-I cess and into engagement with the well conduit for holding said supporting means against downward movement; releasable means engaging and initially retaining said downwardly facing members in retracted position; said releasable means being engaged and released from said downwardly facing spring members by said upwardly facing spring members upon continued upward movement of said supporting means while said upwardly facing spring members are in engagement with the well conduit in the recess; means in said recess engageable with at least one of said spring members for preventing rotation of said supporting means; and coengaging means on said body and supporting means for preventing relative rotation between said body and supporting means.

13. In a well tool: a body adapted to be lowered in a well conduit on a running-in string; tubular means slidable along said body; means on said body engageable by said body and tubular means to be expanded outwardly; a first outconduit having an4 a body adapted 4to be' along said body; up. wardly facing spring members on said support- 'A internal 25o-evian -expansible -leaf spring on said tubular means engageable `wii'fh a .shoulder -in the Well conduit for .holding said tubular .means .against downward movement; .a second outwardly -eX pansible leaf spring -on said tubular means .engageable with a shoulder in the well vconduit for holding said tubular means against yupward movement; .releasable means on and movable with respect to said tubular means engaging said first leaf spring for holding initially said first leaf spring in retracted position, said releasable means bein-g released from said -rst leaf spring -upon continued upward movement of said ftubular means while said second leaf spring zis inholding 'engagement with the well conduit; and coengag-ing means on said .body and rtubular means `for preventing movement between ,said Abody and tubular means in one direotion.

14. In a well tool.: .-a body 'adapted to be loweredin a `well conduit on a .running-in string; tubular means .slidable along said body; means on -said body lengageable by said xbod-y `and tubular :means to he `expanded outwardly.; tupwardly facing outwardly expansible leaf springs on said tubular -means -engageable with a shoulder in the lyvell Yconduit for .holding -sa-id tubular means against upward movement; downwardly facing outwardly -expansible ,lea-f `springs on said tubular means -engageable with .a shoulder in the well conduit for -holding said tubular means against `.downward movement; means engaging said downwardly :facing leaf springs for 11eleasably retaining said -.downwardly facing -leaf springs in retracted position, said releasable 'retaining means being Bngageable :with said up- Wardly ifacing leaf springs to be 'released from the :downwardly facing leaf springs upon oontinued upward .movement of said tubular means while said :upwardly facing :leaf springs are in holding engagement with the -well conduit; :and coengaging means 4.on said -body tand tubular means for preventing longitudinal 'movement between .said body `and tubular means in one ldirection.

l5. .In combination: a well conduit having an vrecess therein; supporting .means adapted to be flowered in said conduit; a Irst member `on .said supporting means expandible into said :recess and into engagement with the well conduit to hold said supporting means against downward Vinox/.ement in said conduit; aseeond member on said supporting means ex pandible into said recess .and into engagement with the-well lconduit for holding said supporting means .against upward movement in said conduit; retaining means engageable by said second member and :engaging said first .member to retain initially said rst member .retracted position to prevent expansion of said .first member into said recess; and means releasably connecting said retaining means to Vsaid supporting means, in order that .continued upward movement of said :Supporting .means while said second member is holding engagement with the A well conduit in the recess will cause said-second .i "ember to release .said lreleasal'xle :mea-ns and '.-rfelatively 'sh-ift :said retaining .means `from said first member .to -allow `vexpansion of said first member into :holding :engagement :with the well conduit within said recess.

L1a6. In va Awell tool: fa body adapted lt-o Ybe -lowered in a .well conduit on'a running-in string; supporting 'mea-ns eslidable along 4said body; Aa rst outwardly expansible lleaf spring on said Supporting. ,means .en gageable with a :shoulder in the well-conduit* for holdingl fsa-id means against downward movement; a second outwardly expansible leaf :spring on said supporting means engageable with fa shoulder in the well conduit for holding said mea-ns :against upward move ment.; reta-ming means Aengageable by said .seeond lea-f .spring and engaging lsaid .first leaf spring to retain initially 'said vfirst leaf spring in retracted position vto fprevent its expension into holding engagement with :the well conduit; and means releasably connecting said retaining means to said :supporting means, iin order that 'continued upward .movement 'of :said supporting means whilesaid second leaf nspring is holding `ongagernent with the Awelll conduit will :ca-use said second leaf spring to release said neleasable means Aand lrelatively shift :said re taining means from said ',:tirst leaf smi-ng 4to allow 'expansion of said air-st leaf springinto holding engagement with 'the well conduit.

C. BAKER.

References Cited -in the le-of this patent 'UNITED :STATES PATENTS vBarrett et al. 

